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Assessing the performance of zakat and Samurdhi scheme in alleviating poverty among the Muslim community in Sri Lanka
Get PDFPoverty is one of the most hotly debated subjects in international development. It is also discussed in all economic development and governmental policymaking. Every country in the world adopts poverty alleviation strategies since poverty has been negatively impacting on economic growth. Despite this global trend, Sri Lanka has its own unique strategies that set it apart. The Samurdhi is one of the key schemes to reduce poverty in society regardless of faith or ethnicity in Sri Lanka. Notably, Muslims in Sri Lanka get benefits from Samurdhi and Zakāt programmes which play a major role in poverty reduction especially among Muslim community. on this background, this study aims to analyse the performance of both Zakāt and Samurdhi schemes in poverty alleviation among the Muslim community in the study area. This study is based on qualitative research paradigm and employs both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through the unstructured interviews, conducted with the coordinators, animators, and beneficiaries of both programs. All interview scripts were analysed using the Thematic Content Analysis (TCA) method. The study concluded with the argument that both schemes (Samurdhi and Zakāt) immensely contributed to poverty alleviation in the study area, especially among the Muslim community. However, Samurdhi scheme is more effective than the zakat programme during the study period (2019-2022) as Samurdhi scheme was implemented with the support of the government and annually government is allocating fund separately. Apart from this, no government funds were allocated for the proper implementation of the zakat programme via the Zakāt foundations. It is noteworthy that Zakāt system has been functioning by the donations from wealthy Muslims. Meanwhile, Zakāt scheme was effectively implemented in certain areas of Akkaraipattu. However, comparatively Zakāt scheme was not implemented effectively among beneficiaries in the whole study area
Global and Regional IUCN Red List Assessments: 15
Get PDFIn this contribution, the conservation status assessment of three vascular plants are presented according to IUCN categories and criteria. It includes the assessment of Oryza rhizomatis D.A.Vaughan and Saxifraga facchinii W.D.J.Koch at a global level and Helianthemum caput-felis Boiss. at a regional level
Development of an alignment model for the implementation of devops in smes: an exploratory study
Get PDFAn evolving set of skills that enable DevOps practice adoption in software-intensive Small
and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) contexts has emerged over the last decade intending to achieve a
change in mentality, skillset, and toolset. This research examines an unexplored aspect of DevOps: business
and IT alignment. Despite the widespread use of DevOps principles, very few research have investigated
their interrelationships with existing theories. This study presents a novel perspective by including control
variables such as firm size, background, and experience within the specific setting of Sri Lanka. The current
body of literature extensively examines the practical elements associated with the adoption of DevOps,
the development of skills, and the implementation of tools. However, there is a notable deficiency in
comprehending the intersection between these fundamental DevOps principles and factors such as company
size, individual backgrounds, and diverse experience levels. The primary objective of this study is to address
the existing gap in knowledge by conducting a comprehensive investigation of the influence of firm size,
background, and experience on the level of alignment between business and IT functions within SMEs
in Sri Lanka that have adopted DevOps practices. First, 248 people participated in a survey conducted as
exploratory research. The DevOps IT alignment was tested using partial least squares structural equation
modelling. Moreover, it supports the creation of a reliable and credible DevOps instrument for scientific
research. DevOps is promoted in SMEs to facilitate continuous information and software communication
integration across IT departments. DevOps also has a beneficial effect on business-IT alignment. Greater
business IT alignment is achieved via improved information exchange and continuous application integration
at enterprises that foster DevOps. IT leaders must determine how to strengthen ties across departments that
rely on radically different skill sets
Impact of working capital management on firms’ profitability: in the context of Sri Lankan plantation companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange
Get PDFPurpose: The impact of working capital management on profitability is
investigated in this study.
Design/methodology/approach: This study is confined to Sri Lankan Plantation
companies and is based on a survey of 17 listed companies on the Colombo Stock
Exchange. Colombo Stock Exchange-listed companies between 2011 and 2020.
The dependent variables of this study, net profit margin (NPM) and return on
equity, were used to quantify profitability (ROE). Also, the working capital
management is the independent variable and is determined by the cash conversion
cycle (CCC), accounts receivable days (ARD), account payable days (APD), and
inventory turnover days (ITD). Working capital management's effects on
profitability have been investigated using regression analysis.
Findings: The results demonstrate a significant relationship between profitability
as evaluated by NPM, ROE, ARD, APD, and CCC. ITD, however, has an
insignificant impact on ROE and NPM. The outcome also demonstrates that APD
has an insignificant impact on NPM for Sri Lanka's listed plantation companies.
Practical implications: Maintaining a suitable level of working capital would
help plantation companies increase their profitability.
Research limitations: The study consists of only 17 companies and is confined
to only plantation sector companies listed on CSE
Online consumer's engagement with food brands: the mediated effect of Brand Engagement in Self-Concept between Brand Love and Brand Advocacy
Get PDFPurpose: Customers are increasingly aware of food brand names and identify
with the food brands they purchase. Interesting findings are obtained from studies
combining the brand engagement with self-concept (BESC) idea with other
marketing variables. The goal of this study is to examine how brand advocacy
and brand love among consumers relate to their preferred food brands.
Design/Methodology/Approach: To further understand the factors influencing
brand advocacy, 200 online food users in Sri Lanka were surveyed. A five-point
Likert scale, from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5) and was utilized in
this online survey. The self-administered survey was distributed online, and 200
respondents provided data using a judgmental sampling method of nonprobability in Sri Lanka, the research questionnaire was distributed from October
1 through November 31. SMART PLS 4.0 was used to understand and analyze
the gathered data. The acquired data were examined for internal consistency using
reliability analysis.
Findings: This paper offers empirical knowledge. A persona profile and an
experimental prototype are among the design study findings that are intended to
be activated for practical use. Examining the mediating influence of BESC, the
findings show that brand love has a significant and positive impact on consumers'
brand advocacy.
Originality: The study enhances the body of knowledge on self-concept theory
and offers food marketers insightful information about internet consumers.
Implications: This study aids in understanding emerging trends in Sri Lankan
online consumer behavior. Although brand love and brand advocacy have been
the subject of prior studies, BESC has a mediating influence. The current research
tries to close these knowledge gaps
Management of suicidal ideation through positive therapy an individual case study
Get PDFIllegal suicide is an important international problem in the
contemporary world. Suicide is the act of thinking about one's own death or
thinking about killing oneself. Nowadays suicide is depending on a person's
thoughts and his surroundings. The topic of the study has been chosen as
“Management of suicidal ideation through positive therapy an individual case
study” in order to properly deal with a victim of suicidal ideation. The main
objective of this study was to determine whether positive therapy reduces.
suicidal ideation. An 18-year-old girl suffering from suicidal ideation was
selected as a case study. Beck's Suicidality Scale and diagnostic manual were.
used to diagnose the individual's problem based on observed symptoms as
research tools. From this case study, people suffering from suicidal ideation
can be treated through positive therapy those who have suicidal ideation
exhibit physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional and behavioral symptoms,
and many factors such as heredity, their situation, inferiority complex, family, and
lack of social support influence the occurrence of suicidal ideation. Have to
neglect negative thoughts and developing positive thoughts is useful for
reducing suicidal ideation, and positive therapy can influence the development.
of positive thoughts
Occurrence and characteristics of Microplastics in coastal sediments along Southeast Coast of Sri Lanka
Get PDFMicroplastics (MPs), plastic particles smaller than 5 mm in size, are one of the most
significant emerging environmental threats to marine environments across the globe.
Despite the number of recent research on MP pollution in the western and southern coastal
environments of Sri Lanka, only a few studies have been conducted to unravel MP
pollution along the southeastern coast of Sri Lanka. The current study aimed to investigate
the spatial distribution, sources, morphology, and composition of the MPs in the coastal
sediments of the southeast coast of Sri Lanka. Sediment samples were collected from
straight beaches (23) and lagoon areas (8) along the southeast coast extending from
Kalmunai to Panama. At each sampling site, approximately 5 kg of surface sediments
were collected from the wrack line to berm zone. The MPs in the representative fractions
of sediment samples were isolated by density separation using 1.20 g/ml NaCl solution.
The amount, shape, and colour of isolated MPs were analyzed using a petrographic
microscope. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared
(FTIR) Spectroscope were employed to investigate their morphology and chemical
composition respectively. The results highlighted the presence of five shape types of MPs,
namely fibers (86.77%), flakes (6.61%), fragments (3.58%), foams (1.93%), and films
(1.10%). Additionally, these MPs appeared in nine different colours in these beach
sediments. The five shape types of MPs indicated different weathering surface
morphologies such as scratches, pores, protrusions, grooves, pits, and scales, possibly due
to mechanical abrasion, chemical reactions, photodegradation, and microbial degradation.
The FTIR analysis revealed that the main polymer compositions of MPs are polyethylene
and polystyrene. The distribution of MPs varied from 0 to 45 per 500 g. The highest
number of MPs were recorded from lagoon environments (>20 MP per 500 g) indicating
land-derived sources of MPs. This study lays the foundation for the investigation of MPs
along the southeastern coast of Sri Lanka and to predict the possible sources of MPs based
on the results
Big-five personality and transformational leadership in the private sector in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka
Get PDFPurpose: The objective of the current study is to identify the association between
big-five personality traits and transformational leadership style of the leaders in
the private sector in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Present study attempts
to investigate which factors of big five can predict transformation leadership.
Design/ methodology/ approach: The sample for this study consisted of 119
leaders from the private sector in Northern Province of Sri Lanka. The leaders
from construction firms and business organizations were covered in this study.
Questionnaires were distributed to a random sample of 119 leaders and 82 usable
surveys were returned.
Findings: The research has revealed that extraversion, conscientiousness, and
agreeableness are positively related to transformational leadership. At the same
time, there is a weak negative relationship between neuroticism and
transformational leadership. Openness and transformational leadership are not
correlated.
Practical implication: This study will extend the knowledge regarding the
linkage between personality and transformational leadership. This, study will
help the managers to identify which traits they have to improve in order to be a
transformational leader and to develop such traits themselves.
Research Limitations: The results of this study may be not consistent with the
studies in various other sectors and at different time period. Future researchers
may consider the other factors that affect the leadership styles such as values,
attitudes, etc.
Originality Value: The findings will help the organization in carrying out their
functions related with human resource effectively. This study empirically proves
that the positive consequences of personality traits are dominated with effective
styles of leadership. Therefore, this study can aid in identifying and selecting the
prospective leaders who are more suitable to the positions in the organization
Geochemical analysis of gem-bearing gravels from Eheliyagoda, Sri Lanka as a potential source of rare earth elements
Get PDFThe group of rare earth elements (REEs) is made up of 17 chemical elements including 15
lanthanides, Yttrium (Y), and Scandium (Sc). REEs have become significant in cutting-edge
technologies due to their specific characteristics. The market demand for REEs has expanded
drastically in recent decades thus, the potential scarcity of REEs is currently at the forefront of
global concern. Several previous studies have revealed that gem-bearing gravels in Sri Lanka
are rich in REEs, particularly light rare earth elements (LREEs). The gem trade in Sri Lanka
has a long history of fame for its gems and has traditionally been centred in Rathnapura.
Eheliyagoda which geologically falls within the Highland Complex, is one of the significant
alluvial gem deposits in Rathnapura. The scope of the study is to qualitatively and
quantitatively investigate the REEs in the gem-bearing gravels in Eheliyagoda, Sri Lanka.
Twenty soil samples from gem-bearing layers of 20 mines from the Eheliyagoda region were
analysed to identify and quantify the REEs compositions mainly using an inductively coupled
plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The results obtained revealed that some sediments were
significantly enriched in specific REEs like Cerium, Neodymium, and Lanthanum. The average
concentrations of the three elements were determined to be 155.89 mg L-1
, 75.629 mg L-1
and
73.3776 mg L-1
respectively. Results indicate that when compared to the published
international data of certain REEs mining regions in China, the biggest REEs producer in the
global market, the gem-bearing gravels in Eheliyagoda, Sri Lanka consist of comparable
quantities of REEs, particularly of LREEs
Cytotoxicity determination of aerva lanata methanolic extract using brine shrimp lethality assay for treatment of urinary tract infections
Get PDFPlant toxicity studies play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of herbal medicines,
evaluating potential risks associated with plants. The Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay
(BSLA) is a widely used and cost-effective preliminary screening tool for assessing the
toxicity of various substances, including plant extracts and compounds. Objectives of
this study were to explore innovative methods for assessing the toxicity of methanolic
extract of Aerva lanata using the BSLA for treatment of Urinary Tract Infections and to
provide a foundational understanding of the toxicity of Aerva lanata extract and its
potential implications for medicinal use. In-vitro experimental study was conducted at
KIU laboratory, Koswatte. A. lanata whole plant and its extraction were considered as
the sample used. Concentration of plant extract known to be the independent variable
and Brine shrimp (Artemia salina) mortality as an indicator of extract toxicity was
known to be the dependent variable. Data analysis was carried out using toxicity index
values (LC50) of the Aerva lanata extract were used to find out whether the extract is
toxic or non-toxic. Stock solution was prepared by dissolving 10 mg of plant extract
(soluble in water) in 1 ml of water. Concentrations of 1 mg/ ml, 100 µg/ ml, 10 µg/ ml
and 1 µg/ ml were prepared by serial dilution from the stock solution. 1 ml of prepared
solution was taken into the respect test tubes containing 10 live nauplii of A. salina and
1 ml of seawater. After 24 hours of incubation at 25 o C, the live nauplii were counted in
each test concentration of the tube. Live nauplii were move towards the light source.
The 1% dimethyl sulfoxide without extract was used as a negative control. The results
were recorded as the percentage of mortality after 24 hours and 50% Lethal
Concentration (LC50) values were calculated using Graph Pad prism 9 software. Then
it compared with the toxicity scale of LC 50 < 1000ug/ml is considered toxic and if LC
50 > 1000ug/ml considered as non-toxic. The resulting LC50 was 59.34µg/ml.
Therefore, A. lanata methanolic extract is considered to be toxic since LC 50 <
1000ug/ml; according to the brine shrimp lethality assay. The research on the
cytotoxicity of A. lanata using the brine shrimp lethality assay provided valuable
insights into the safety evaluation of medicinal plant extracts. The study effectively
fulfilled its objectives by demonstrating the potential utility of the brine shrimp lethality
assay in evaluating toxicity of A. lanata plant extract; lay the groundwork for further
comprehensive evaluations, offering promise in the development of safer and more
efficient herbal treatments in traditional medicine